COWES SPORTS 0, PETERSFIELD TN 1

PETERSFIELD made a happy return from the Isle of Wight after recording their second league win of the season and hauling themselves off the bottom of the Sydenhams League Premier Division.

The Rams have by far the worst defensive record in the division, having conceded 63 goals in their first 13 games, yet it was a solid rearguard that earned them the points at stormy Cowes Sports.

Petersfield were shown two red cards, including one for coach Mark Summerhill, so they certainly showed guts and character to hold out for the three points.

They scored what proved to be the winner after only five minutes. Luke Walker latched onto Jordan Geddes’ long punt and broke into the penalty area before slotting past keeper Sam Sanders.

Cowes rarely threatened in attack, but came close soon after the interval when John McKie’s angled shot struck the crossbar.

Soon after, Conor White’s effort looked destined for the back of the Petersfield net, but Ed Plackett got back just in time and keeper Luke Eaton tidied up.

Harry Tremlett also made a vital headed clearance before Summerhill was banished to the stand for words addressed to the linesman.

Geddes followed for a dangerous challenge, but Petersfield’s ten men almost added a second goal in injury time when the lively Walker fired in a shot which replacement keeper Ed Hatt palmed over the crossbar.

Petersfield: Eaton, Gilbert, Geddes, Tremlett, Plackett, Evans, Keogh, Wycherley, Walker, Powell, W Essai (Boxall). Subs (not used): Thomas, Small, Summerhill.

• Petersfield crashed 9-0 to Havant & Waterlooville in the Portsmouth Senior Cup on Tuesday.

• Alresford lost 3-1 at home to Hamworthy. A Geoff Dunn strike wiped out Hamworthy’s early lead, but two late goals clinched the points for the visitors and ended Alresford’s unbeaten record in October. Dan Cann, Brandon Randall and substitute Edgar Zanin scored for Hamworthy.